How Parramatta looks during Covid lockdown 2.0 | Photos

Once a bustling CBD filled with workers and cars rushing about, Covid has left the city looking more bare with pigeons outnumbering people in usually busy malls.

The beat goes on in Parramatta, albeit at a slower pace, as Covid escalates and lockdown suppresses business, but construction forges ahead.

As confusion continues about what constitutes essential services and whether certain retailers should continue trading, a brief walk through Westfield can polarise opinion.

Some businesses such as Camera House, Dymocks Booksellers and food outlets on the train station concourse remain open in Westfield.

Small businesses including cafes continue to trade outside the shopping centres, and work on major developments such as Walker Corporation’s $3.2 billion Parramatta Square project and the $2.4 billion light rail — expected to be wrapped up on Eat St in late July — forge ahead.

On Wednesday, Parramatta Council cancelled its annual Winterlight festival after postponing it in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in mid June.

The festival was due to run from June 19 until September 12 but as cases surge, the event has been scrapped for this year.

A young woman races through Parramatta Square on her way to the train station.

Complimentary masks are handed to commuters at Parramatta train station.

Police patrol Parramatta train with Sydney Trains staff.

Parramatta train station in the early afternoon.

People have been urged not to travel unless it’s essential.

A shopper walks under Parramatta railway bridge after some essential grocery shopping.

Masked-up builders work on 5 Parramatta Square.

The 180 George St Parramatta development in progress.

Parramatta Wharf is deserted, with leisurely journeys down the Parramatta River sidelined indefinitely.

People still make the most of a morning cycle or walk along the Parramatta River.

Exercising in groups is forbidden but getting some fresh air appeals to most of us in lockdown.

Not everyone has a home to lockdown in, including the growing number of homeless people who camp at Parramatta train station.

There were no bustling crowds but some shops continue to trade at Westfield Parramatta.

Westfield Parramatta’s ground floor food court is bare.

Gloria Jeans at Westfield Parramatta has closed.

Birds outnumber humans at the square outside St John's Anglican Cathedral Parramatta.

Urja Dhaubhadel keeps Parramatta caffeinated at Mary George Cafe.

Little Greece Gyros and Souvlaki Bar at Phillip St, Parramatta.

Masked-up men at Church St Parramatta.

The queue at the Parramatta Community Health Centre (Jeffrey House).

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